Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone.
A/n: please r/r
Chapter 17 – Suspicions
Andy wandered aimlessly through the exhibition, it was a good job that most of it was Allison's work otherwise he would have been out of there, probably wouldn't even have been there at all. It wasn't like he didn't understand what she did, well okay, he didn't really understand what she did, and some off her work was very offbeat. The section he has walking through right now in fact, but he had to admit, her landscapes where absolutely exceptional. Thinking back, he remembered when he used to lie on their bed watching her paint, it really calmed him, especially if he had just been at a tough meet. The way she moved the brush and swirled the paint over the canvas soothed him, and sometimes even got him hot. He could recall many occasions when her painting would cause stirrings down below and when he could take it no longer he just had to have her, anyway he could; the paint had then only acted as another part of their love making.
"I do hope, by the expression on your face Andrew Clarke, that your not thinking about what I think you are thinking?" he heard Allison whisper into his ear.
"And if I was!" he remarked.
"Then we are going to have to wait until later," she exclaimed, adding more softly, "because I don't think the kind of antics your thinking about would impress very many people here."
"Oh really, are you sure?"
"Yes," she said seriously, but then upon catching his eye she started to laugh. "I love you, Andrew," leaning in for one of their kisses.
"I love you right back" he replied, and responding to her body language he kissed her back. "So is this thing due to start anytime soon? I don't know how much longer my stomach will hold out."
"Always thinking about food, aren't you?" she teased. "We've got a few minutes to go. How do I look?"
"You look outstanding, so beautiful. You know, you never cease to amaze me, I think you grow more and more beautiful to me everyday."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes" he simply said and took her into his arms for an embrace so gentle and loving that Allison knew Andrew had meant every word he had said.
"Thank you," she replied.
"Are you two still at it?" a voice exclaimed from a few paces away from where they stood together.
"Well, you know, John, when the fires of passion still burn deeply for the woman you love you have to show her exactly how much at every opportunity you can get. You never know who is around the corner wanting to take your place."
"So that's your philosophy on the subject, Andy, and Allison was it as beautiful for you as it was for me?" John simpered.
"Oh more so," she said as she removed herself from Andy's grasp and accepted a small hug and kiss on the cheek from John.
John proceeded to shake Andy's hand and then introduce his mother to the pair. They seemed to be surprised, but happy that John and Alicia had made up their differences. Andy asked Alicia if he could take her around the gallery, which left John time to interview Allison and her partner about the exhibition and where they both thought their business was heading, the whole topic being sewn up in about half an hour. Once over, Allison took John by the arm and walked with him to the far end of the gallery, to where her landscapes where being exhibited.
"So what's new?" Allison asked.
"What do you mean?" John replied, "do you mean with mum and me?"
"Well, yes, kind of. I have these ideas spinning around in my head and some of them come true sometimes. I must admit I did think you would stay orphan-like, so to speak. But I love your mum, she's so pleasant and polite, not anything like you ever described her before."
"Yeah, well she met this new guy after dad died, and I guess, he must have had more than a little influence on her. So much so, in fact, that she wanted to come find me and make amends."
"There's something not quite right though is there?"
"Oh Allison, ever the intuitive! You seem to be able to realise situations before they appear before anyone else. You're right though, she's covering something or someone up."
"What are you saying? That she has lied to you?"
"Pretty much, you can't lie to a liar after all, can you! She told me this story about how she went about finding me from my stories in the paper, a few things didn't ring true."
"Like?"
"Like she said one of her friends had told her about my articles, I'm damn sure the friends that she would keep would never read the newspapers I have written for, and then she said that she realised it was me for definite when she saw my photo against one of the stories. There is no way that would have happened, the paper has never done that, I have kept all of my stories so I know they haven't."
"But why would she lie?"
"I don't know, guilty conscience, maybe! Or she's protecting someone."
"Yeah, right. Like who exactly!"
John recognised the perfume immediately as it wafted into his nostrils and made its way into his psyche. "Like Claire" he replied.
***
Claire had offered to pick up Brian and Becky on her way to the exhibition and now the three of them were sat in her car waiting for the lights to change to green.
"Claire, there's something that the two of us have been meaning to ask you?" Brian said nervously, "We'd like to hear your reaction about something?"
"Is it something that I should park up for or am I safe to keep on driving?" Claire said, recognising the tone of the question Brian had asked.
"I think you'd best pull over" he replied.
Finding a suitable place to stop the car, Claire engaged the handbrake, selected neutral and switched off the engine. "So?" she enquired.
"As you may or may not be aware," Brian started, "Becky and I are very much in love, so much so that we have decided to get married, we don't want to wait too long, we're hoping to hold it in three weeks actually."
"What?" Claire exclaimed, "married?" Her first reaction was shock; after all they hadn't been going out together for very long, and much less moved in with each other. But remembering to conversations she had had with both of them they seemed to have found their soul mate in the other one, so why the hell shouldn't they. Her frown quickly turned to a wide grin. She shrieked and reaching over she grabbed hold of Brian for a hug. Pulling back she continued "That is so great, I'm so happy for you both. So what do you need from me?"
"A couple of things, if you don't mind" Brian said.
It was now Becky's time to ask "I would love it if you would design my wedding dress, I mean I know you design for kids right, but it would be so special to have a Claire Standish original. I'd also like you to design the bridesmaid's dress as well."
"And we would like you to be our one and only bridesmaid." Brian continued.
"Really," Claire couldn't believe what was happening.
"Yes, really, we've thought about this long and hard, in fact we've been up all night nearly trying to decide what we really wanted and what better honour is there for us but to have our two best friends standing up with us. Besides, we thought you could use this situation to your advantage."
"Whoa, wait, hold on! What do you mean 'two best friends'?" Claire asked.
"I want to ask John to be my grooms man." Brian said.
"Wait, for a minute there I thought I just heard you say you want John to stand up with you."
"I did!"
"No, I'm sorry, it's absolutely out of the question. Becky, Brian I have no problem designing the dresses, etc, whatever you need me to do there, but I can't stand there on one side of you both with him on the other."
"Well, we would like you to make a speech," Becky said.
"Yes, and you did say that you wanted to lay down your life for him, what better way than to do your duty for us and turn the speech into something for yourself. Why not use the position we are offering you to gain an advantage over him and win him back." Brain added.
"I see," Claire began, "so maybe I say something in my speech to win him over?" She looked at Brian and in turn Becky. Both were nodding at her like crazed sick loonies. "Okay," she said, her smile beaming again, "I'll do it, thank you – thank you for asking me. Now if it's alright with you then I think we better be on our way to this exhibition."
***
Making it through the streets of the city, Claire managed to gain some time after the short interlude that she had experienced only a little while before. Looking over at Brian she could tell he was so happy, the woman that sat in the back seat was so good for him, Claire was only sorry that it had taken them a little while to find one another, but hey, things like that always happen to good people, she concluded; secretly hoping that she hadn't been so bad that she would never find true happiness and be totally overlooked forevermore.
The three of them reached the gallery and made their way through the entrance to be met by Allison's partner. Deciding that they were here to support Ally she gave them the directions to where exactly she thought she might be, and they continued their journey, seeking her out. They picked up Andy, who was sitting happily by the food, and made their way through to the back.
Nearly at their journey's end, Claire heard the dulcet tones that where unmistakable to her and rounding the corner she immediately made eye contact with the man that she was not quite ready to see. Her heart skipped a beat, her palms began to sweat and she felt her cheeks flush but she tried so hard to contain herself. His eyes were on her the whole time noticing everything, and then she saw his mother. Now she panicked, she knew that Alicia's intention was to see John that day but she had no idea that she would be coming to the exhibition. Introductions were being made, Claire watched the scene unfold before her and then it was her turn, she guarded her responses and met John mechanically, like two fighters stepping out in the ring. He started to re-introduce her to his mother and when she went to shake Alicia's hand she noticed that her own was quivering uncontrollably, if John had any inkling that the two where very recent acquaintances, it would be now that he would know for definite and would this then cause another argument between them. She hoped not. She knew that if that where to happen there would not be any hope left for them, not until she had had her say, anyway and that would be another three weeks away. It wasn't until she heard Brian speak, however, that she felt safe again. And noticing John's attention had been taken from her she shot Alicia a quick smile and moved away to a safe distance, Alicia returning the favour also.
"So guys, now we are all together again, Becky and I have announcement to make." Brian directed a look towards Claire to see if she was okay. Noticing that she was, he continued, "we are engaged, got engaged last week actually, and we are getting married in three weeks, we hope you will all be able to join us celebrate are union."
"Isn't it a bit soon, Brian?" Allison asked.
"I thought that," Claire piped up, "but knowing what these two actually feel for one another I think they are doing the right thing."
"Well done, man!" Andy said.
"Well we've got jobs for you all too, if you'd like" Brian continued, "Andy we thought you might like to be one of the ushers, with Becky's brother."
"Sure, no problem, I'd love to."
"And Allison, we'd love it if you could paint something for us, we were kind of hoping to have some kind of lovely backdrop behind where the vicar would be standing." Becky said.
"Thank you, three weeks isn't long but if you let me know what kind of thing you want then I'll see what I can do for you."
"Which leaves me and Claire," John said.
"We've already asked Claire if she will design the dresses" Brian said, leaving out the part about being bridesmaid, "to which she has accepted, which leaves you, John. I would be honoured if you would be my grooms man."
"Are you serious?" John questioned.
"Deadly, only don't get me too drunk on my stag night, please. Oh, and nothing too rude in the speech okay, my mum is going to be there, remember."
"You got it. Thanks man." John said shaking his hand. Brian thought at that precise moment if John weren't quite so level headed he would have literally burst open from the sheer happiness that seemed to resonate from him. He also never believed that John would have accepted so readily before now, but wonders never ceased to amaze him where John was concerned.
At that instant a waiter arrived and they all took a glass of champagne each. John led the toast "to Brian and Becky. Becky, I do hope you know what you're taking on and Brian don't mess this one up; you two were made for each other. May you both have every happiness for the rest of your long lives together and may there be lots of tiny feet running around in the not too distant future."
'A touching speech' Claire thought, watching John, 'I only hope it's us next'. John, noticing Claire's gaze, smiled and inclined his glass toward her, she responded by repeating the gesture.
"To Brian and Becky" the others said in unison.
A/n: please r/r
Chapter 17 – Suspicions
Andy wandered aimlessly through the exhibition, it was a good job that most of it was Allison's work otherwise he would have been out of there, probably wouldn't even have been there at all. It wasn't like he didn't understand what she did, well okay, he didn't really understand what she did, and some off her work was very offbeat. The section he has walking through right now in fact, but he had to admit, her landscapes where absolutely exceptional. Thinking back, he remembered when he used to lie on their bed watching her paint, it really calmed him, especially if he had just been at a tough meet. The way she moved the brush and swirled the paint over the canvas soothed him, and sometimes even got him hot. He could recall many occasions when her painting would cause stirrings down below and when he could take it no longer he just had to have her, anyway he could; the paint had then only acted as another part of their love making.
"I do hope, by the expression on your face Andrew Clarke, that your not thinking about what I think you are thinking?" he heard Allison whisper into his ear.
"And if I was!" he remarked.
"Then we are going to have to wait until later," she exclaimed, adding more softly, "because I don't think the kind of antics your thinking about would impress very many people here."
"Oh really, are you sure?"
"Yes," she said seriously, but then upon catching his eye she started to laugh. "I love you, Andrew," leaning in for one of their kisses.
"I love you right back" he replied, and responding to her body language he kissed her back. "So is this thing due to start anytime soon? I don't know how much longer my stomach will hold out."
"Always thinking about food, aren't you?" she teased. "We've got a few minutes to go. How do I look?"
"You look outstanding, so beautiful. You know, you never cease to amaze me, I think you grow more and more beautiful to me everyday."
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes" he simply said and took her into his arms for an embrace so gentle and loving that Allison knew Andrew had meant every word he had said.
"Thank you," she replied.
"Are you two still at it?" a voice exclaimed from a few paces away from where they stood together.
"Well, you know, John, when the fires of passion still burn deeply for the woman you love you have to show her exactly how much at every opportunity you can get. You never know who is around the corner wanting to take your place."
"So that's your philosophy on the subject, Andy, and Allison was it as beautiful for you as it was for me?" John simpered.
"Oh more so," she said as she removed herself from Andy's grasp and accepted a small hug and kiss on the cheek from John.
John proceeded to shake Andy's hand and then introduce his mother to the pair. They seemed to be surprised, but happy that John and Alicia had made up their differences. Andy asked Alicia if he could take her around the gallery, which left John time to interview Allison and her partner about the exhibition and where they both thought their business was heading, the whole topic being sewn up in about half an hour. Once over, Allison took John by the arm and walked with him to the far end of the gallery, to where her landscapes where being exhibited.
"So what's new?" Allison asked.
"What do you mean?" John replied, "do you mean with mum and me?"
"Well, yes, kind of. I have these ideas spinning around in my head and some of them come true sometimes. I must admit I did think you would stay orphan-like, so to speak. But I love your mum, she's so pleasant and polite, not anything like you ever described her before."
"Yeah, well she met this new guy after dad died, and I guess, he must have had more than a little influence on her. So much so, in fact, that she wanted to come find me and make amends."
"There's something not quite right though is there?"
"Oh Allison, ever the intuitive! You seem to be able to realise situations before they appear before anyone else. You're right though, she's covering something or someone up."
"What are you saying? That she has lied to you?"
"Pretty much, you can't lie to a liar after all, can you! She told me this story about how she went about finding me from my stories in the paper, a few things didn't ring true."
"Like?"
"Like she said one of her friends had told her about my articles, I'm damn sure the friends that she would keep would never read the newspapers I have written for, and then she said that she realised it was me for definite when she saw my photo against one of the stories. There is no way that would have happened, the paper has never done that, I have kept all of my stories so I know they haven't."
"But why would she lie?"
"I don't know, guilty conscience, maybe! Or she's protecting someone."
"Yeah, right. Like who exactly!"
John recognised the perfume immediately as it wafted into his nostrils and made its way into his psyche. "Like Claire" he replied.
***
Claire had offered to pick up Brian and Becky on her way to the exhibition and now the three of them were sat in her car waiting for the lights to change to green.
"Claire, there's something that the two of us have been meaning to ask you?" Brian said nervously, "We'd like to hear your reaction about something?"
"Is it something that I should park up for or am I safe to keep on driving?" Claire said, recognising the tone of the question Brian had asked.
"I think you'd best pull over" he replied.
Finding a suitable place to stop the car, Claire engaged the handbrake, selected neutral and switched off the engine. "So?" she enquired.
"As you may or may not be aware," Brian started, "Becky and I are very much in love, so much so that we have decided to get married, we don't want to wait too long, we're hoping to hold it in three weeks actually."
"What?" Claire exclaimed, "married?" Her first reaction was shock; after all they hadn't been going out together for very long, and much less moved in with each other. But remembering to conversations she had had with both of them they seemed to have found their soul mate in the other one, so why the hell shouldn't they. Her frown quickly turned to a wide grin. She shrieked and reaching over she grabbed hold of Brian for a hug. Pulling back she continued "That is so great, I'm so happy for you both. So what do you need from me?"
"A couple of things, if you don't mind" Brian said.
It was now Becky's time to ask "I would love it if you would design my wedding dress, I mean I know you design for kids right, but it would be so special to have a Claire Standish original. I'd also like you to design the bridesmaid's dress as well."
"And we would like you to be our one and only bridesmaid." Brian continued.
"Really," Claire couldn't believe what was happening.
"Yes, really, we've thought about this long and hard, in fact we've been up all night nearly trying to decide what we really wanted and what better honour is there for us but to have our two best friends standing up with us. Besides, we thought you could use this situation to your advantage."
"Whoa, wait, hold on! What do you mean 'two best friends'?" Claire asked.
"I want to ask John to be my grooms man." Brian said.
"Wait, for a minute there I thought I just heard you say you want John to stand up with you."
"I did!"
"No, I'm sorry, it's absolutely out of the question. Becky, Brian I have no problem designing the dresses, etc, whatever you need me to do there, but I can't stand there on one side of you both with him on the other."
"Well, we would like you to make a speech," Becky said.
"Yes, and you did say that you wanted to lay down your life for him, what better way than to do your duty for us and turn the speech into something for yourself. Why not use the position we are offering you to gain an advantage over him and win him back." Brain added.
"I see," Claire began, "so maybe I say something in my speech to win him over?" She looked at Brian and in turn Becky. Both were nodding at her like crazed sick loonies. "Okay," she said, her smile beaming again, "I'll do it, thank you – thank you for asking me. Now if it's alright with you then I think we better be on our way to this exhibition."
***
Making it through the streets of the city, Claire managed to gain some time after the short interlude that she had experienced only a little while before. Looking over at Brian she could tell he was so happy, the woman that sat in the back seat was so good for him, Claire was only sorry that it had taken them a little while to find one another, but hey, things like that always happen to good people, she concluded; secretly hoping that she hadn't been so bad that she would never find true happiness and be totally overlooked forevermore.
The three of them reached the gallery and made their way through the entrance to be met by Allison's partner. Deciding that they were here to support Ally she gave them the directions to where exactly she thought she might be, and they continued their journey, seeking her out. They picked up Andy, who was sitting happily by the food, and made their way through to the back.
Nearly at their journey's end, Claire heard the dulcet tones that where unmistakable to her and rounding the corner she immediately made eye contact with the man that she was not quite ready to see. Her heart skipped a beat, her palms began to sweat and she felt her cheeks flush but she tried so hard to contain herself. His eyes were on her the whole time noticing everything, and then she saw his mother. Now she panicked, she knew that Alicia's intention was to see John that day but she had no idea that she would be coming to the exhibition. Introductions were being made, Claire watched the scene unfold before her and then it was her turn, she guarded her responses and met John mechanically, like two fighters stepping out in the ring. He started to re-introduce her to his mother and when she went to shake Alicia's hand she noticed that her own was quivering uncontrollably, if John had any inkling that the two where very recent acquaintances, it would be now that he would know for definite and would this then cause another argument between them. She hoped not. She knew that if that where to happen there would not be any hope left for them, not until she had had her say, anyway and that would be another three weeks away. It wasn't until she heard Brian speak, however, that she felt safe again. And noticing John's attention had been taken from her she shot Alicia a quick smile and moved away to a safe distance, Alicia returning the favour also.
"So guys, now we are all together again, Becky and I have announcement to make." Brian directed a look towards Claire to see if she was okay. Noticing that she was, he continued, "we are engaged, got engaged last week actually, and we are getting married in three weeks, we hope you will all be able to join us celebrate are union."
"Isn't it a bit soon, Brian?" Allison asked.
"I thought that," Claire piped up, "but knowing what these two actually feel for one another I think they are doing the right thing."
"Well done, man!" Andy said.
"Well we've got jobs for you all too, if you'd like" Brian continued, "Andy we thought you might like to be one of the ushers, with Becky's brother."
"Sure, no problem, I'd love to."
"And Allison, we'd love it if you could paint something for us, we were kind of hoping to have some kind of lovely backdrop behind where the vicar would be standing." Becky said.
"Thank you, three weeks isn't long but if you let me know what kind of thing you want then I'll see what I can do for you."
"Which leaves me and Claire," John said.
"We've already asked Claire if she will design the dresses" Brian said, leaving out the part about being bridesmaid, "to which she has accepted, which leaves you, John. I would be honoured if you would be my grooms man."
"Are you serious?" John questioned.
"Deadly, only don't get me too drunk on my stag night, please. Oh, and nothing too rude in the speech okay, my mum is going to be there, remember."
"You got it. Thanks man." John said shaking his hand. Brian thought at that precise moment if John weren't quite so level headed he would have literally burst open from the sheer happiness that seemed to resonate from him. He also never believed that John would have accepted so readily before now, but wonders never ceased to amaze him where John was concerned.
At that instant a waiter arrived and they all took a glass of champagne each. John led the toast "to Brian and Becky. Becky, I do hope you know what you're taking on and Brian don't mess this one up; you two were made for each other. May you both have every happiness for the rest of your long lives together and may there be lots of tiny feet running around in the not too distant future."
'A touching speech' Claire thought, watching John, 'I only hope it's us next'. John, noticing Claire's gaze, smiled and inclined his glass toward her, she responded by repeating the gesture.
"To Brian and Becky" the others said in unison.